Over the last couple years I’ve visited many apple orchards in Eastern Ontario (and one in Western Quebec). Here is a summary of what’s available in our region:

Within the city of Ottawa:

Pinewood Orchards: An apple orchard on NCC land in the Greenbelt (Kanata). Very picturesque. Although the store is open daily, I believe apple picking takes place only on weekends. You can also purchase their apples at their stand along Carling Avenue, near March Road.

Apple Hill Fruit Farm: A small pick-your-own apple orchard in Barrhaven (Nepean). They also offer wagon rides on weekends. NOW CLOSED

Log Cabin Orchard: A 10 acre, pick-your-own orchard featuring 7 varieties of apples on a 33-acre farm in Osgoode. The store front is a 172 year old log cabin which is the original homestead on the property from 1840. I have not yet visited this orchard, but it looks great!

Harvest Moon Orchard: This orchard in Carp does not offer pick-your-own apples, but they have a very nice store and the apples are freshly picked. Note: They hold a special event called “Heritage Apple Days” each year in October.

Dekok Berry Farm: This berry farm in Kanata offers pick-your-own apples on Saturdays.

East of Ottawa:

Cannamore Orchard: A large apple-picking operation with many activities for children, and a large store for browsing. A great family outing. This is one of the biggest apple picking operations in the region. It’s located in Cannamore, which is SW of Casselman.

Ferme Dagenais: A biodynamic farm with pick your own organic apples (and pears). They also have a health food and natural products store on site. Located in Embrun.

Verger Nation Sud: A beautiful apple orchard overlooking the South Nation River (in Plantagenet). Absolutely delicious apples. It’s best to call ahead, as this is a small part-time operation for the owners. 613.673.1170.

Les Vergers Villeneuve and Blueberry farm: A pick-your-own apple orchard in the fall, in a very picturesque setting. They are located in St-Pascal-Babylon, which is near Rockland.

Avonmore Berry Farm: Primarily a strawberry picking operation, but they also have pick-your-own apples in September and October. They are located in Avonmore, which is SE of Casselman.

Pine Hill Orchard: A more traditional apple-picking experience, in a lovely setting with very welcoming owners. You can read more in my blog post located here. Open daily from September 1st until the end of the apple-picking season. Located in Bourget, which is south of Rockland.

Strathmore Orchard and Winery: Primarily a winery that sells fruit wines (raspberry, strawberry, apple, and cranberry), but their web site says they also offer apple picking. They have a gift shop and special events throughout the year.

Domaine Cleroux: A small orchard located in Casselman, open only for a few weekends in the fall. They also have a sugar shack and beautiful store where they sell maple products (which I wrote about here). Check their website for open house dates in the fall, before Christmas, and during the maple season.

South of Ottawa:

Mountain Orchards: A very large orchard located south of Ottawa, in Mountain (near Kemptville). It was quiet when I visited on a weekday in September, but on weekends, things get crazy busy. They have wagon rides, a donut machine (kids of all ages love this!), preserves and pies for sale, and of course, lots of apples! They also have a giant corn maze and a straw jump.

Kilmarnock Orchard: An apple orchard located right by the Kilmarnock lock on the Rideau Canal (near Smiths Falls). They have a large store, and you can pick your own apples.

Smyth’s Orchard: Located in Dundela, the home of the original McIntosh apple. There are some interesting displays about the McIntosh apple, and a large store. They also have a second hand shop with lots of antiques and other stuff. The orchard is east of Prescott, about an hour’s drive from Ottawa.

Quebec:

Verger Croque-Pomme: A very large and popular apple picking operation located near Thurso, Quebec (east of Ottawa, across the Ottawa River). They also sell apple wine and cider, including ice cider (which tastes delicious – similar to ice wine).

Note: It’s best to call ahead to any of the above places, as the length of the apple season varies each year.